Automatic line traverse and dip film processor

ABSTRACT

The automatic film processor will successively dip the film in processing solutions within a dark box, remove the film from the dark box, successively dip the film in further processing solutions, and finally dry the developed film. The processing solutions are held in individual containers carried in and projecting through a pivotal rack, which rack is selectively vibrated at relatively high frequency and rocked at a relatively low frequency, according to a program. The lower ends of the solution containers project into a water bath maintained at a desired temperature, with the water bath being fed by a piping system passing incoming water into the wash containers with overflow into a dump trough separate from the water bath.

United States Patent 1 1 11 3,724,353 Holbert 5] Apr. 3, 1973 [54]AUTOMATIC LINE TRAVERSE AND 3,521,545 7 1970 Buechner ..95/96 DIP FILMPROCESSOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] 'lnventor: Harry C.Holbert, I 83 Mount Lebanon Drive, wheeling w Va 557,956 8/1932 Germany..95/99 [22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews [21] Appl.No.: 85,407 Assistant Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Thomas E.Beall, Jr. 52] U.S. Cl. ..95/89 D, 95/89 R, 95/90, 9s/90.s, 95/95,95/96, 95/97, 95/99 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d 3/00, G03d 3/04The automatic film processor will successively dip the Fhld of Searchfilm in processing solutions within a dark box, remove 1 I 97, 99 thefilm from the dark box, successively dip the film in further processingsolutions, and finally dry the [56] Rde'iences Cited developed film. Theprocessing solutions are held in UNITED STATES PATENTS individualcontainers carried in and projecting through a pivotal rack, which rackis selectively vibrated at 3,593,640 7/1971 Gall ..95/89R relativelyfrequency and rocked at a relatively 316041332 9/1971 Mitchen' "95/95low frequency, according to a program. The lower g ends of the solutioncontainers project into a water 2:384:898 9/1945 I-II95/99X bathmaintained at a desired temperature, with the 1,772,834 8/1930 Hopkins..95/96 Water bath being fed y a P p System Passing 2,545,031 3/1951Izzi ....95/89 D coming water into the wash containers with overflow3,492,932 2/1970 Van Baerlem ..95/89 D into a dump trough separate fromthe water bath. 2,975,695 3/1961 Tsuno ....95/89 D v 2,933,032 4/1960Pardee .....95/89 D 14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Harry 6. Holberr 75220705 fimf fn' H/S ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 3 ma SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.Harry 6. Ho/berr 7%0/7705 Bea/[1%.

H/S ATTORNEY P-ATENTEDAPR 3 ms 3. 724,353

SHEET 4 0F {1 64 9 l 2 9 l w 9 9 .r

g INVENTOR.

Harry 6. Holber/ 720/7205 @Bea J).

H/S ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many organizationsthat require the processing of film in small batches and as fast aspossible. Such organizations might be schools, television stations,laboratories, or the like. Expensive and complicated equipment existsfor this purpose, but is beyond the means of such organizations in thatit has not proved practical. Heretofore reliance has been upon outsidersor the manual processing of film, which is quite time consuming andimprecise. These problems become more severe with the processing ofcolor film wherein the number of steps involved in the processing isconsiderable. If the processor is distracted during his operations, forexample, by telephone call, the film will most likely be ruined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The film to be processed is carried by a linetraverse carriage moved by a suitable programmed drive means such as anelectric motor driven rack and pinion, so

that the film will travel from one processing station to another, forexample, between processing solutions. A linkage and motor driveneccentric will selectively dip the film into the desired solution withwhich it is aligned by the movable carriage. The linkage is sufficientlyflexible to allow vibration and rocking of the processing solution,which will correspondingly produce relative vibrations, rocking androtation of the film with respect to the adjacent fluid.

During the initial processing steps, the film is moved within a dark boxby the linkage passing through a light sealed longitudinal slot. Afterthe processing within the dark box, the carriage will cause the filmreel to strike doors held closed by rubber friction so that the doorswill be released and swing to an open position where they will be heldby permanent magnets. Thereafter, the processing may be carried out inthe light.

The various processing solutions, including water washes, arerespectively within a plurality of containers depending through andcarried by a rack, which rack is mounted for pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis. Periodically, the rack is rocked about its axis at alow frequency to move new solution into the area of the film. Thisrocking motion is uniform for all of the containers, because thehorizontal axis is symmetrically placed with respect to each of thecontainers. The film is carried by a rotatably mounted holder havingfluid reaction blades on it, so that the rocking motion of the rack willcause the processing solution to move with respect to these blades andto rotate the carried film. Also, 60 cycle vibrations are transmitted tothe rack for gently moving the respective solutions among the emulsiongrains.

The lower depending portions of the processing solution containersproject into a uniform temperature water bath for maintaining theprocessing solutions at a desired temperature, by a re-circulatingtemperature controlled method. Heat transfer between the containers andsolutions is enhanced by the above-mentioned rocking and vibration.Water wash containers on the rack are fed by a piping system supplyingincoming water to the bottom of the containers, with overflow water fromthe wash containers falling into the dump trough of the sink, which dumptrough is separate from the water bath.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will become more clear from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with referenceto the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the film processor according to thepresent invention, with portions of the cabinet broken away to show theinternal mechanisms;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical plane passingthrough the pivoting axis of the container rack of FIG. 1, with portionsof the lower cabinet removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III- III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view os the pivotal mountingfor the rack that carries the solution containers;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 but with the carriagein a different position;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the film carrier and film;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the manner in which the doors areopened by advancement of the reel of film.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the doors for the dark box taken along lineIXIX of FIG. 8 and rotated FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of anotherportion of FIG. 2 showing the mechanism for periodically rocking thesolution container rack; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the mechanism shown on FIG. 10 and taken alongline XI-XI of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment for the present invention, it isunderstood that the specifically illustrated and described structure hasconsiderable merit in its own right, but equivalent and quite differentstructures are also contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the film processor according to the presentinvention includes a lower cabinet structure 1 having a plurality ofdoors 2, providing access to a storage area and a timing mechanism 3,which controls the sequence of film processing operations and theirduration. The timing mechanism 3 is connected to a suitable electricpower source in a conventional manner.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the lower cabinetstructure 1, supports a rack 4, that carries a plurality of containers5, 6, 7, 8, 9, l0, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, and 16, which may be of acidresistant synthetic resin and hold 32 ounces. Each of the containerscontains a processing solution and is preferably in the form of aninverted truncated cone made of a suitable plastic material and providedwith a tightly fitting cap 17. Although only one cap 17 is shown, it isunderstood that caps may be provided for all of the containers toprevent evaporation and oxidation of the solutions, when film is notbeing processed, and the caps being removed during processing. The rack4 has a plurality of aligned holes into which the containers arerespectively dropped so that the tapered side walls of the containerswill engage the edges of the holes to support the containers with theirlower portions depending from the rack 4 into an upwardly opening troughor basin 18 formed in the upper portion of the lower cabinet structure1.

Incoming hot and cold water lines 19, 20, respectively, are connected tothe mixing valve 21 so that positioning of the selector handle 22 willdetermine the temperature of water passing from the valve 21 into thesingle processing water supply line 23. Branch water lines 24 lead fromthe supply line 23 to the bottom portions of the wash containers 9, 12,and 15. The water supplied by the lines 24 adjacent the bottom of eachof the containers 9, 12, 15, will be fresh and mixed with the water inthe containers to cause an overflow through the outlet pipes 25. Thevertical orientation of the container inlet and outlet is importantbecause the chemicals washed from the film will tend to rise in thewater. As shown in FIG. 1, the outlet pipes 25, extend traversely beyondthe rack 4, so that they will discharge their water into the dump troughbehind the basin 18. The water temperature and level 26 within the basin18, is automatically maintained by a re-circulating temperaturecontrolled unit which may be conventional.

Although the desired temperature has been selected by the handle 22, amajor portion of the supply line 23, and branch lines 24, extend throughthe water within the basin 18 adjacent its forward wall 27 for heattransfer purposes to avoid abrupt temperature changes within the washcontainers 9, 12, 15.

The rack 4, and thus carried containers, are mounted for pivotalmovement about a horizontal axis contained in the plane of FIG. 2, bymeans of oppositely disposed bearings 28, 29.-These bearings aresubstantially mirror images of each other so that only one will be shownand described in detail with respect to FIG. 4. Bearing pin 30cantilevered from the end of the rack 4 is mounted within a bearingblock 31 having an upwardly opening channel 32. Three conventional coilssprings 33, 34, 35, are mounted within respective bores within thebearing block 31, so that their axes are perpendicular to the axis ofthe pin 30 and at 90 spaced locations with respect to each other forengaging and providing a resilient pivot mounting for the pin 30, whichstructure is shown exploded in FIG. 4. With the bearing block 31 rigidlymounted within a stationary frame plate 36, the rack 4 will be mountedfor pivotal movement and limited resilient transverse movement.

For periodically rocking the rack about the axis of bearings 28, 29, atlow frequency, there is provided a crank mechanism 37 as most clearlyshown in FIGS. 10 and 11. An electric motor 38 is rigidly mounted on acantilevered plate 39 that is rigidly mounted by a bracket 40, which inturn is secured by bolts 41 to the rear vertical wall 42, that in partforms one side wall of the basin 18. The drive shaft of the motor 38carries a disk 43 having an eccentric pin 44 thereon. A sheet metallever arm 45, is rigidly mounted, for example by welding, to the uppersurface of the rack 4 and extends to a terminal bent end 46, which has alost motion connection with. a connecting link 47, extending to theeccentric pin 44. Thus, by rotating the disk 43, through the gearreduction motor 38, at a very slow speed, the lever arm 45 is slowlypivoted counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 11, to correspondingly pivotthe rack 4 about its bearings 28, 29. After the pin 44, has been liftedto its highest position, the lost motion connection between link 47 andarm end 46, will allow the rack 4 to pivot clockwise at its own speed.This lost motion connection is formed by a nut 48 adjustably threaded onthe lower end of the link 47, which link 47 passes through a hole in theend 46 that is smaller than the nut 48. Preferably, the link 47 isconstructed of a very thin, for example, l/32nd of an inch, stainlesssteel ribbon or wire. The rack 4 is biased in the clockwise direction bya resilient block 49, preferably rubber, that engages a depending flange50 at one side of the rack 4. A plurality of these blocks 49 may beprovided along the longitudinal extent of the rack 4 and flange 50. v

The rack 4 and thus the containers and solution mounted thereon will bevibrated at a frequency substantially greater than the previouslydescribed rocking motion by means of an electrically powered 60 cyclevibrator 51 that is shown in FIG. 5 as being rigidly connected to therack 4. Except to say that the vibrator 51 will vibrate the rack 4, at a60 cycle frequency, for example, and at a low amplitude, a detaileddescription of the vibrator will not be given since it may be generallyof and conventional type. However, the vibrating action is enhancedaccording to the present invention by a resilient leaf spring 52,rigidly depending from stationary upper frame structure to carry at itslower end a roller 53, in engagement with one face of the vibrator 51.This face will vibrate relative to the face rigidly mounted on the rack4. Further, the spring mounting 33-35, for the pivot pins 30 of the rack4 will further enhance the action of the vibrator 51.

Vibration of the rack 4 will cause a gentle movement of the processingfluids between the emulsion grains of the film to increase the speed ofthe processing and produce more uniform results. The periodic lowfrequency high amplitude rocking of the solutions by the mechanism 37,will change the fluid that is in contact with the film.

Programmed traverse of the film from one solution container to anotherand dipping of the film into a selected container will be underoperation of the timer 3 and respective traverse and dipping mechanism54, 55.

As shown in FIG. 7, 35 mm color film 56, for example, is loosely woundon a conventional NIKOR film processing reel 57, which is provided withan upwardly extending locator pin 58. Carrier plate 59 of the presentinvention is provided with a bayonet slot 60 for the reception of thepin 58 and with depending spring arms 61 about its periphery to engagethe wound film 56. Thedipping mechanism 55 rotatably supports thecarrier plate 59 by relatively rigid rod or arm 62. Oppositely extendingfluid reaction blades 63, 64, are mounted on the top surface of thecarrier plate 59, so that when the rocking mechanism 37 rocks the rack 4to cause relative movement between the film carrier plate 59 andadjacent fluid, there will be rotation of the carried film about avertical axis. This general rotation will further the action of therocking motion in changing the fluid that is in contact with the film.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the dipping mechanism 55, includes a shadedpoleelectric motor 65 rigidly mounted on a carriage 66 for driving ahorizontal axis spur gear 67 which is in meshing engagement with alarger spur gear 68 for speed reduction. The spur gear 68 in turn drivesa disk 69 by means of drive shaft 70 journalled on the forward wall ofthe carriage 66. A crank arm defined by l/32nd inch thick stainlesssteel ribbon or wire 71 extends between the upper end of the rod 62 andan eccentric pin 72 carried by the disk 69. This ribbon 71 will allowpivotal movement about any horizontal axis, rotational movement about avertical axis and general vibrations of the rod 62 relative to the pin72 while providing a tension connecting link. By operating the motor 65,the gears 67, 68 are rotated to in turn rotate crank defined by the disk69 and pin 72. By rotation of the pin 72 eccentrically with respect tothe shaft 70, the rod 62 will be vertically reciprocated to lower thefilm 56 in a selected solution container or to raise the film 56 out ofa container. To generally limit transverse movement of the rod 62 andthus the film 56 during rotation of the disk 69, a guide sleeve 73pivotally receives therethrough the rod 62 and is mounted rigidly on alower portion of the carriage 66.

The carriage 66 is horizontally moved in the plane of FIG. 2 by thetraverse mechanism 54 for selectively vertically aligning the rod 62with the central vertical axis of a desired container 5-16. For thispurpose, the carriage 66 has a rigidly carried bracket 74, shown in FIG.5, which has a downwardly opening rectangular bearing channel 75,slidably and supportingly engaging a stationary and hollow box beam 76with the interposition of bearing material plates 77, for example,constructed of Teflon. The beam 76 extends for substantially the fulllength of the processor and is connected at various points by means ofvertically extending brackets 78, rigidly secured by bolts 79 to thestationary rear wall 42, with bolts 80 rigidly interconnecting the boxbeam 76 and brackets 78. Thus, the main weight of the carriage 66 issupported for line traverse along the box beam 76. To provide furtherstability and drive for the carriage 76, a stationary I-beam 81 isprovided on its upper surface with a toothed rack gear 82, which is inmeshing engagement with a spur gear 83 mounted on the carriage 66 forrotation about an axis parallel with the axis of shaft 70. A suitableshaded pole electric motor and gear reduction drive 84 is fixedlymounted on the carriage 66 to drive the spur gear 83 and thus move thecarriage 66 longitudinally along the box beam 76. The spur gear 83 ismounted for movement into meshing engagement with the rack gear 82 andfor movement out of engagement with the rack gear 82 along an arcuatepath coaxial with an arcuate slot 85, by means of a bolt and wing nut 86extending through the slot 85. Thus, the wing nut may be loosened andthe bolt moved along the arcuate slot 85 for moving the spur gear 83toward and away from the rack 82. In this manner, after the timer 3 hasoperated the line traverse mechanism 54 to move the carriage 66 from theillustrated position in FIG. 2 to the right-hand most position in FIG.2, where the film processing operation is completed, the spur gear 83may be moved out of meshing engagement with the rack 82 so that thecarriage 66 may be quickly and manually moved back to the illustratedposition in FIG. 2 to allow another programmed sweep to the right.

An upper cabinet structure 87, is provided to generally shield theabove-described mechanisms 54,

55. This upper cabinet structure has a front door 88 mounted by a pianohinge 89 for pivotal movement at its top about a horizontal axis. Asuitable lever (not shown) may be provided to swing the door 88 betweenits closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 and some opened position wherethe lever will engage a bracket to hold the door in its upper openposition. With the door open, the mechanisms 54, 55 are exposed foradjustment and maintenance.

Many steps in film processing must be carried out in the absence oflight, while light is of no concern in others of the steps. It is highlyadvantageous that normal lighting be allowed within the film processingroom so that other activities may be carried out by personnel,

particularly with automatic processing not requiring the attention ofthe personnel so that they may be engaged in other activities requiringlight; Further, it is desirable that the processes not requiring theexclusion of light be carried out in the open for inspection,replenishment of fluid, and general access to the machine for variousmaintenance and processing purposes. According to the present invention,the processes involving the processing fluids within containers 5, 6, 7,8 and 9, are the only ones that require the exclusion of light, with theexample being the processing of 35 mm color film. Thus, a box structurehaving side walls 91 and a top wall 92 is sealingly secured on the rack4 to light enclose the containers 5-9. A suitable resilient material 93,for example sponge rubber, lines the holes in the rack 4 to provide alight seal between the containers within the box structure and thecorresponding holes in the rack 4. Operator access to the dark box 91,92 is provided through a door 94 hinged at 95 to pivot about ahorizontal axis. A resilient light sealing gasket 96 is provided aroundthe entire periphery of the door 94 and adjacent rigid surfaces of thedark box 91, 92.

The film movement within and through the dark box is provided by a slotto accommodate the rod 62 and doors to permit exit of the film. Thelongitudinally extending slot in the top wall 92 of the dark box islined with a resilient light sealing gasket 97 to sealingly allowmovement of the rod 62 through the top wall 92 from a positionvertically aligned with container 5 to a position vertically alignedwith container 10. Also, the resiliency of the gasket 97, is sufficientto allow complete light sealing of the dark box without interfering withthe vibration and rocking of the dark box that is carried on the rack 4.Y

Between containers 9 and 10, the dark box is provided with twooppositely opening exit doors 98, which are substantial mirror images ofeach other. Each door is mounted for movement about a vertical axis byrespective hinges 99, particularly as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 formovement between a closed position light sealing the dark box and anopen position permitting movement therethrough of the film 56 andcarrier 59. The overlapping adjacent vertically extending portions ofthe doors 98 are provided therebetween with a suita- In moving from aposition vertically aligned above container 9 to a position verticallyalined above container 10, the film carrier 59 will strike the doors 98with sufficient force to overcome the rubber friction and move themabout their hinges 99 outwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8. Inthe dotted line position of FIG. 8, the magnets 101, 102 will come underthe influence of respectively oppositely poled permanent magnets 103,104 carried by stationary brackets 105, 106, to further pivot the doors98 about their hinges 99 to fully opened position where they are lockedby the magnetic forces. In resetting the processor for another run, thedoors 98 must be manually moved from their open position to their closedposition after the film carrier 59 moves into the dark box when thecarriage 66 is manually repositioned.

After the film has been processed by all of the solutions in containers-16, the carriage 66 will strike a limit switch 107, as shown in FIG. 2,to operate a drying unit 108. The drying unit 108 includes an electricmotor driven fan 109 for drawing air downwardly through opening 110 andforcing the air outwardly through air filter 111 into heat exchangecontact with a conventional light bulb 112 so that heated air may moveupwardly into a drying chamber 113 containing therein the wet film.After sufficient drying time, the entire processor automatically shutsdown. For locking and releasing the switch 107, there is provided amovable bar 114 and stationary bracket 115.

i OPERATION To further understand the above embodiment of the presentinvention, which is specifically illustrated, a typical operation willbe considered for processing a roll of 35 mm color film. However, it isto be understood that the specifically illustrated embodiment as well asthe readily applied modifications may be operated in similar and quitedifferent manners.

A roll of exposed, but undeveloped, color 35 mm film is rolled in aconventional manner upon a NIKOR processing reel as shown'in FIG. 7 andconnected with the carrier plate 59 by means of interengagement of thepin 58 and bayonet slot 60, as well as the spring arms 61 tightlyclamping the film 56 on the outside. Thus, the film will be mounted onthe mechanism and the carriage 66 is thereafter moved along the box beam76 to a position where the film is directly vertically above container 5within the dark box 91, 92; this movement of the carriage 66 isaccomplished by appropriately moving the nut and bolt assembly 86 withinthe arcuate slot 85 to lift the spur gear 83 out of engagement with therack 82 so that the carriage may be manually slid into theabovementioned position.

The mixing valve 21 is adjusted for a sufficient time to'assure that thewater temperature within the basin l8 and the temperature of the varioussolutions within containers 5-16 are uniform and appropriate for theparticular film being processed, for example, 85 F. After this steadystate condition has been reached, conventional mechanisms are employedto maintain the temperature of the solutions and bath automatically. Thecovers 17 are'removed from all of the containers 5 16 immediately beforeprocessing, and they have assured that the solutions have beenmaintained fresh and clean. Thereafter, the doors 98 of the dark box areclosed to light seal the dark box, it being understood that up to thispoint the lights have been out or a protective light has been usedwhenever the film 56 has been opened to the environment of the roomcontaining the processing equipment. Since thefilm is now within thelight sealed dark box, the normal lights of the room may be turned onand kept on for the remainder of the operation. a

After the above initial setup, the't'imer 3 is actuate to control andcomplete the remainder of the operation without requiring any furtherintervention of an operator or the like. Under the influence of thetimer 3, the clipping mechanism 55 will be actuated to lower the filminto a pre-hardener solution within container 5 where the film willremain for 2 minutes and 45 seconds. During this time, the vibrator 51will be actuated for 30 seconds and the rocking mechanism37 will rockthe rack 4 twice during the 30 second vibration period. After completionof the above, the dipping mechanism 55 will raise the film out of thecontainer 1, the traverse mechanism 54 will move the film to the nextpostion vertically aligned with container 6 and the clipping mechanism55 will lower the film into container 6.

The film will remain in the neutralizer solution within container 6 for45 seconds. During this'time, the vibrator 51 will be actuated for 15seconds and the rocking mechanism 37 will produce one rock. Thereafter,the dipping mechanism 55 will remove the film from container 6, thetraverse mechanism 54 will align the film with container 7, and thedipping mechanism 55 will lower the film into container 7. The film willremain within the first developer solution within container 7 for 7minutes, during which time the vibrator will be actuated continuously.Also, there will be one rock each 15 seconds for the entire 7 minutes.

From the above, it is seen that the dipping mechanism 55 and traversemechanism 54 successively move the film from one container .to anotherin -'a straight line as dictated by the timer, so that this operationwill not hereinafter be described in detail. I

The film stays within the first fixer solution of container 8 for threeminutes, during which there is continuous vibration and one rock each 15seconds. After a four minute washing in container 9, the film carrierplate 49 will strike the doors 98 of the light box 91, 92 in travellingfrom container 9 to container 10 so that the doors 98 will be opened andheld opened by their magnets. Thus, the film will be exposed to thenormal room lighting for its processing after container 9.

The film is held within the' color developer within container 10 for 8minutes, 45 seconds. During this time, vibration will be continuous andthere will be one rock each 15 seconds.

The film will stay in the second fixer of container 11 for 3 minutes.During this time, vibration will be continuous and there will be onerock each 15 seconds.

The film will be held within the second wash solution of container 12for 4 minutes.

The film will be held in the bleach solution. of container 13 for 5minutes. During this'time, vibration will be continuous and there willbe one rock each 15 seconds.

Film will be held within the fixer solution of container 14 for 6minutes. During this time, vibration will be continuous and there willbe one rock each seconds.

The film will be held within the wash water of container 15 for 6minutes.

The film will be held within the stabilizer solution of container 16 for1 minute.

Thereafter, the carriage 66 will move to its extreme right-handposition, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that it will strike the limitswitch 107. Switch 107 will energize the motor 109 to dry the film withfiltered heated air. After drying, the machine will automatically shutdown and the film may remain where it is indefinitely.

Further modifications, embodiments and variations are contemplatedwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality ofmeans for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical filmprocessing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotalmovement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rackabout said axis; a plurality of containers mounted in said rack; darkbox means cooperating with said rack and light enclosing only some ofsaid containers and being mounted for rocking movement with said rack;and means for moving film from a container within said box means,through said box means and to a container outside of said box means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a vibrator mounted on said boxmeans; a cantilevered stationarily mounted arm extending adjacent saidvibrator; and roller means mounted on the terminal end of saidcantilevered arm in engagement with said vibrator.

3. The film processing apparatus of claim 1, including a stationarywater bath tank below said rack for containing water; and means mountingsaid containers on said rack so that said containers extend directlyinto such water in said tank for oscillating movement within such wateras said rack pivots for improving heat transfer between such waterwithin the tank and the containers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of said containers isa water wash container and has a bottom inlet and an outlet pipeextending transversely beyond said water bath tank to a free terminalend directing overflow away from and out-of liquid communication withsaid water bath tank; and further including flexible conduit meansextending in part through the water in said tank and conducting waterunder pressure through said inlet.

5. A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality ofmeans for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical filmprocessing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotalmovement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rackabout said axis said mounting means including pins respectivelyextending horizontally outwardly from each end of said rack in axialalignment with each other, and a bearing block having spring meansmounting therein said pin to resiliently form the pivotal mounting forsaid rack; and said spring means including three coil springs mountedwith central axes each intersecting the center line of the respectivepins and forming angles with respect to adjacent spring center lines 6.A photographic film developing apparatus, comprising: a substantiallylight impervious developing box having an exit end; two doors hinged attheir outer edges to the exit end of said box for moving between aclosed position sealing said exit end and an open position, the inneredges of said doors sealingly engaging each other in the closedposition; stationary door support members mounted respectively adjacenteach of said doors in their open position; mechanical means forsupporting film within said box and for moving film from within saidbox, against said doors to thereby move said doors from their closedposition to their open position, and outside of said box; means adjacentsaid box to normally hold said doors in their closed position andrelease said doors in response to said mechanical means moving againstsaid door; and magnetic latch means between said doors and respectiveones of said stationary support members for holding said doors in theiropen position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said mechanical means includes aslot extending through one wall of said box and running perpendicualr tosaiddoors in their closed position; a support arm extending through saidslot for holding film at one end and for attachment at its opposite endto a driving mechanism; and resilient sealing means within said slot forsealing the opening of said slot and allowing passage longitudinally ofsaid support arm.

8. The film developing apparatus of claim 6, further including: meansfor holding at least one liquid chemical bath within said box; saidmechanical means further moving the film from within said means forholding at least one liquid chemical bath to a position removed fromsaid means for holding at least one liquid chemical bath and in saidbox; means for holding a processing fluid bath outside of said box andseparate from said means for holding a liquid chemical within said box;and said mechanical means further moving the film from its positionoutside of said box downwardly into said means for holding a processingfluid bath.

9. The photographic film developing apparatus of claim 8, wherein saiddoors extend in a single vertical plane in their closed position; saidmechanical means including a horizontal slot extending through the topwall of said box perpendicular to and intersecting the vertical plane ofsaid doors in their closed position aligned with the sealingly engagingedges of said doors, drive means outside of said box and having atranslating power path parallel to said slot, and an arm extendingthrough said slot for carrying film at one end and connected at itsopposite end to said drive means; and resilient means within said slotfor light sealing said slot while allowing longitudinal movement of saidarm within said slot.

10. A film processing apparatus, comprising: a sealed light imperviousprocessing box having a hole in its lower portion; a water bath tankfreely in light communication with the outside light environment of saidbox and spaced below said box; means for holding a photographic filmprocessing chemical within said box, including an opaque fluid containerincreasing in horizontal cross section from its bottom toward its topand having means light sealingly engaging the edges of said hole toallow the bottom portion of said container to extend directly into saidwater bath tank for preventing light from the vicinity of said watertank to pass into said box through said hole.

11. The film processing apparatus of claim 10, including: power meansfor supporting photographic film and moving the photographic film fromwithin said opaque fluid container to a position removed from saidopaque fluid container and in said box, and then to a position outsideof said box; said box including at least one hinged door having a closedposition wherein it is light sealed around its periphery and an openposition permitting passage of the photographic film as it is moved bysaid power means; means normally holding said door in its closedposition and releasing said door in cooperation with said power meansfor movement of said door to said open position with passage of the filmfrom the inside to the outside of said box; means for holding aprocessing fluid outside of said box and separate from said container;and said drive means further moving the photographic film from itsposition outside of said box downwardly into said means for holding aprocessing fluid.

12. The film processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein said door extendsin a vertical plane in its closed position; said power means includes ahorizontal slot extending through the top wall of said box perpendicularto and intersecting said door in its closed position, drive meansoutside of said box and having a translating power path parallel to saidslot, and an arm extending through said slot for carrying film at oneend and connected at its opposite end to said drive means;

' and resilient means within said slot for light sealing said slot whileallowing longitudinal movement of said arm within said slot.

13. A film processing apparatus, comprising: means for mounting aplurality of containers carrying different processing fluids, along apredetermined generally horizontal path; a stationarily mounted toothedrack extending generally parallel to and above said path; a highlyflexible elongated support member having means at-its lower end forcarrying film to be processed by fluid within said containers; acarriage mounted for movement parallel with said rack and path; meansmounted on said carriage for guiding said support member along asubstantial portion of its length for only vertical movement; anelectric motor mounted on said carriage; an eccentric crank drivinglyconnected to said electric motor; a crank arm drivingly connectedbetween said crank and the upper end of said support member above saidguide means; and means for moving said carriage generally parallel tosaid path, including a gear rotatably mounted on said carriage in.

toothed engagement with said rack and an electric motor drivinglyconnected to said gear.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, including a support rail extendinggenerally parallel to said path and said rack; and said carriage havingbearing means in supporting engagement with said support railtransversely spaced from said rack for supporting a portion of thecarriage weight; and said rack facing upwardly to supportingly receivesaid gear and support the remaining portion of the carriage weight.

1. A film processing apparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality ofmeans for holding a corresponding plurality of separate chemical filmprocessing solution containers; means mounting said rack for pivotalmovement about a horizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rackabout said axis; a plurality of containers mounted in said rack; darkbox means cooperating with said rack and light enclosing only some ofsaid containers and being mounted for rocking movement with said rack;and means for moving film from a container within said box means,through said box means and to a container outside of said box means. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, including a vibrator mounted on said boxmeans; a cantilevered stationarily mounted arm extending adjacent saidvibrator; and roller means mounted on the terminal end of saidcantilevered arm in engagement with said vibrator.
 3. The filmprocessing apparatus of claim 1, including a stationary water bath tankbelow said rack for containing water; and means mounting said containerson said rack so that said containers extend directly into such water insaid tank for oscillating movement within such water as said rack pivotsfor improving heat transfer between such water within the tank and thecontainers.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of saidcontainers is a water wash container and has a bottom inlet and anoutlet pipe extending transversely beyond said water bath tank to a freeterminal end directing overflow away from and out of liquidcommunication with said water bath tank; and further including flexibleconduit means extending in part through the water in said tank andconducting water under pressure through said inlet.
 5. A film processingapparatus, comprising: a rack having a plurality of means for holding acorresponding plurality of separate chemical film processing solutioncontainers; means mounting said rack for pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis; drive means for pivoting said rack about said axis saidmounting means including pins respectively extending horizontallyoutwardly from each end of said rack in axial alignment with each other,and a bearing block having spring means mounting therein said pin toresiliently form the pivotal mounting for said rack; and said springmeans including three coil springs mounted with central axes eachintersecting the center line of the respective pins and forming angleswith respect to adjacent spring center lines of 90* .
 6. A photographicfilm developing apparatus, comprising: a substantially light imperviousdeveloping box having an exit end; two doors hinged at their outer edgesto the exit end of said box for moving between a closed position sealingsaid exit end and an open position, the inner edges of said doorssealingly engaging each other in the closed position; stationary doorsupport members mounted respectively adjacent each of said doors intheir open position; mechanical means for supporting film within saidbox and for moving film from within said box, against said doors tothereby move said doors from their closed position to their openposition, and outside of said box; means adjacent said box to normallyhold said doors in their closed position and release said doors inresponse to said mechanical means moving against said door; and magneticlatch means between said doors and respective ones of said stationarysupport members for holding said doors in their open position.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein said mechanical means includes a slotextending through one wall of said box and running perpendicualr to saiddoors in their closed position; a support arm extending through saidslot for holding film at one end and for attachment at its opposite endto a driving mechanism; and resilient sealing means within said slot forsealing the opening of said slot and allowing passage longitudinally ofsaid support arm.
 8. The film developing apparatus of claim 6, furtherincluding: means for holding at least one liquid chemical bath withinsaid box; said mechanical means further moving the film from within saidmeans for holding at least one liquid chemical bath to a positionremoved from said means for holding at least one liquid chemical bathand in said box; means for holding a processing fluid bath outside ofsaid box and separate from said means for holding a liquid chemicalwithin said box; and said mechanical means further moving the film fromits position outside of said box downwardly into said means for holdinga processing fluid bath.
 9. The photographic film developing apparatusof claim 8, wherein said doors extend in a single vertical plane intheir closed position; said mechanical means including a horizontal slotextending through the top wall of said box perpendicular to andintersecting the vertical plane of said doors in their closed positionaligned with the sealingly engaging edges of said doors, drive meansoutside of said box and having a translating power path parallel to saidslot, and an arm extending through said slot for carrying film at oneend and connected at its opposite end to said drive means; and resilientmeans within said slot for light sealing said slot while allowinglongitudinal movement of said arm within said slot.
 10. A filmprocessing apparatus, comprising: a sealed light impervious processingbox having a hole in its lower portion; a water bath tank freely inlight communication with the outside light environment of said box andspaced below said box; means for holding a photographic film processingchemical within said box, including an opaque fluid container increasingin horizontal cross section from its bottom toward its top and havingmeans light sealingly engaging the edges of said hole to allow thebottom portion of said container to extend directly into said water bathtank for preventing light from the vicinity of said water tank to passinto said box through said hole.
 11. The film processing apparatus ofclaim 10, including: power means for supporting photographic film andmoving the photographic film from within said opaque fluid container toa position removed from said opaque fluid container and in said box, andthen to a position outside of said box; said box including at least onehinged door having a closed position wherein it is light sealed aroundits periphery and an open position permitting passage of thephotographic film as it is moved by said power means; means normallyholding said door in its closed position and releasing said door incooperation with said power means for movement of said door to said openposition with passage of the film from the inside to the outside of saidbox; means for holding a processing fluid outsIde of said box andseparate from said container; and said drive means further moving thephotographic film from its position outside of said box downwardly intosaid means for holding a processing fluid.
 12. The film processingapparatus of claim 11, wherein said door extends in a vertical plane inits closed position; said power means includes a horizontal slotextending through the top wall of said box perpendicular to andintersecting said door in its closed position, drive means outside ofsaid box and having a translating power path parallel to said slot, andan arm extending through said slot for carrying film at one end andconnected at its opposite end to said drive means; and resilient meanswithin said slot for light sealing said slot while allowing longitudinalmovement of said arm within said slot.
 13. A film processing apparatus,comprising: means for mounting a plurality of containers carryingdifferent processing fluids, along a predetermined generally horizontalpath; a stationarily mounted toothed rack extending generally parallelto and above said path; a highly flexible elongated support memberhaving means at its lower end for carrying film to be processed by fluidwithin said containers; a carriage mounted for movement parallel withsaid rack and path; means mounted on said carriage for guiding saidsupport member along a substantial portion of its length for onlyvertical movement; an electric motor mounted on said carriage; aneccentric crank drivingly connected to said electric motor; a crank armdrivingly connected between said crank and the upper end of said supportmember above said guide means; and means for moving said carriagegenerally parallel to said path, including a gear rotatably mounted onsaid carriage in toothed engagement with said rack and an electric motordrivingly connected to said gear.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,including a support rail extending generally parallel to said path andsaid rack; and said carriage having bearing means in supportingengagement with said support rail transversely spaced from said rack forsupporting a portion of the carriage weight; and said rack facingupwardly to supportingly receive said gear and support the remainingportion of the carriage weight.